Following the release of the fourth stocktake into
the safety of 'smart' motorways, and analysis by the Office of Road and Rail
(ORR), the AA is calling for the reinstatement of the hard
shoulder.
Edmund King, AA president, said; "Data released by National
Highways shows that several sections of All Lane Running on the
M1 have a higher KSI rate now than before the loss of the
hard shoulder*. At the same time, a third of radar detection
schemes tested failed to meet the standard - two of which failed
and worsened in a 12-month period**.
"Shockingly, the M62 J10-12 had a system failure for almost a
month***. This loss of safety technology, which drivers have been
asked to put their trust in, meant they were put in unnecessary
danger.
"It is little wonder that a third of drivers say they feel less
safe on smart motorways compared to three years ago****. It is
time to accept so-called 'smart' motorways has failed and side
with the majority of drivers who want the reinstatement of the
hard shoulder."
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Table taken from Annex E of the Stocktake Report. M1 J39-42,
J16-19 and J24-25 have higher KSI rates after opening compared to
before opening;
** Taken from pages 31 and 32 from the ORR Report:
*** Taken from page 46 of the ORR Report - The M62 system outage
was in excess of 28 days:
**** A Third Feel Less Safe On Smart
Motorways | AA
